The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1887-04-15
..Who sent Won here. Madoe2"

n one, came all by myself Last
night mother was crying and asked Alice
the reason, and she told me mother was
worried about your bill because there was
no money to pay it" She had slipped
down from the big chair now, and was
standing before him looking into his face
with eager eyes, one little hand in its
brown mitten, resting upon his knee.
"Well, he said, inquiringly, as she
paused for breath.
'1ou know we are real poor since
fathers been sick. One day mother told
us father had failed, and he's been sick
with it ever since, although hope you will
cure him before long. After that we were
afraid we'd have to move, but instead of
that we sent the servants away and put all
the fires out except in fathers room and
the kitchen. Alice has to teach now every
day. and we did not have one bit ofChrist-
mas, but you must not tell father. We
never tell him anything like that, Mother
always begins to sing when she goes into
his room, though sometimes she stops to
wipe the tears away outside the door. So
you see, when ! heard there was no money
knew that bill must be paid; father says
we must always pay for everything we get,
and had all that money Cousin Elise sent
me. She is my godmother, you know; so
last night | made up my mind it must get
to you to-day, and there it is.
She stopped now and stiiied little sigh.
resolutcly turning her eyes from the
tempting heap Of silver upon the table
The doctor, with the keeness of his pro-
fession, caught the sigh and saw the
averted gaze, reading plainly by these lit
tie signs the sacrifice it had been. He had
children of his own, and he knew all the
Madge, what will you do without it p he
asked. Il can get on, she answered
eheerfully; besides, it is for father, you
know.
The doctor had drawn an envelope from
pile upon the table, and was grayely
ooking at the amount written upon the
paper it enclosed He smiled again. con-
trasting it with the money she had
brought Madge was regarding him
gravely too. The thought of any INSULT
cheney never crossed her mind. She was
only wondering whether there would be
any change.
"Madge, the doctor said after awhile
he had been very busy tearing up one piece
of paper and writing something upon
another-'iyou are a brave lit:le woman to
want to help your father. Many little
girls would not have cared whether the
bill was paid or not. Go home now. give
this to your mother, and tell her | will
call as usual tomorrow. Gou can say it
is New Years present IRON Yourself
Then as she reached he called her back.
"Oh, | forgot. here is your change and
to her delight handed her one Of the silver
dollars. Her eyes fairly danced with de-
light and she really could not walk home
it was absolutely necessary to skip over
each crossing and jump from every step.
Mother vas in the kitchen when she
IGdCilttt Ittibt, W. puS ia Hutsticho
as to her delay, and she never turned until
Madge said: Mother, I've brought you
a New Years gift and handed her the
envelope. The mothers face blanched,
and her hands trembled as she tore it
Open Then she cried: "AIadge, what
does this mean? cannot understand it,
The doctors bill is only four dollars, and
it is marked paid.
s'0f course it is marked paid, mother, for
I've just paid it out of godmothers money,
and here is my change" Explanations
followed, smiles mingled with tears.
Madge was kissed and caressed dozen
times, and when Alice came home the
whole thing was gone over again. The
next day when the doctor came he was
waylaid and taken into the cold parlor to
hear trembling thanks and blessings from
quiveripg lips that made his own mouth
rather unmanageable and his voice grow
husky. Il would never have taken
one cent OF the money" he said earnestly,
''but she seemed so eager did not dare re-
fuse. and we can make it up to her in
some other way. That's nice child, and
she will make fine woman one of these
days. and he hurried away to avoid fur
Their thanks.
The mother, cheered by the brave self
sacrifice, felt her heart grow lighter, and
seeing that one cloud had rolled away, had
faith that the same Hand was powerful to
lead her safely through the others, and
gave all the burdens into His keeping.
And Madge noticed after a while that
mothers little song was heard, not only
in fathers room, but even down in the
kitchen, where the sound could not posi-
bly, reach him; so, looking at the lonely
dollar in the savings bank, she felt more
than repaid, and new er regretted that its
four companions had gone to pay the doc
tor.-Myy H. Gf0seeaor, ia Ne,c York o.
serser.
VICTOR HUGO'S POETIC PEA.